Flix Fix: When funny people take on serious roles

It's always awkward when the funniest person in the room starts to cry.

At that point, nobody really knows what to do.

Are they kidding?

Is this part of an act?

Or is this is an authentic, rarely seen plea for help?

This time around, I decided to check out a movie in which a comedian stops being funny and starts being sad.

Rob Schneider was in a movie called "The Chosen One," released in 2010.

The film starts out with Schneider accidentally lighting part of his house on fire while crying over his wife who left him for her yoga instructor.

Overt, exaggerated emotions, an almost-fire and Schneider driving a new car through his dealership's window bring hints of comedy to the seemingly depressing plot line.

And then the absurd happens.

A tribe of Colombian monks and their attractive guide arrive at the door of the depressed salesman, telling him he is their "chosen one."

Schneider invites his strange guests into his home and soon finds all his alcohol bottles empty and plants flourishing.

The healing presence of the monks puzzles Schneider, who can't seem to get his wife's betrayal out of his mind.

The stress of his work and home life eventually push the natives away.

Then, out of nowhere - just when the tides of success have returned to him at work - Schneider decides to make a change.

The comedian's interpretation of his serious role works well in "The Chosen One," despite the slow burn nature of its story line.

At many times, I felt myself wondering, frustrated, thinking, "When is this movie going to get to the point?"

It dragged for entirely too long.

But it was fun to watch.

Just don't make this your date-night movie.

If you're looking to impress somebody - check out "Little Miss Sunshine" or "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," instead, where other comedians play not so funny roles.

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If you've already seen "The Chosen One," then check out some of these other shows and movies with similar themes and undertones. Know of anything that would be a good addition to this list? Shoot me an email at castrain@vicad.com or tweet me @carolinastrain. I'd love to check it out.